Vaishnaw flags off Vande Bharat, expands Jammu Srinagar rail capacity

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday flagged off the extended Vande Bharat Express service from Jammu to Katra, marking a significant step toward enhancing capacity on the crucial Jammu-Srinagar rail corridor.Addressing the event, Vaishnaw stressed that robust maintenance practices remain central to ensuring safety and reliability, while the next major priority is increasing line capacity through track doubling. He highlighted ongoing work on the Qazigund–Arinagar section, noting that the upgrade would allow more trains to operate efficiently on the route.“The focus is on maintenance for safety and security. The next step is to increase capacity on the Jammu-Srinagar rail line. With doubling of the Qazigund to Arinagar section, more trains can be run,” Vaishnaw said, adding that advanced railway technologies similar to those used in Europe are being deployed in the region.
The minister underlined the growing role of the rail link in boosting cargo movement, revealing that nearly 2 crore kilograms of apples have already been transported from Kashmir to Delhi, while dedicated freight space has been allocated for cherry consignments.

#WATCH | Jammu: Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union MoS Dr Jitendra Singh, and J&K CM Omar Abdullah flagged off the extended Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express. The train will enter regular service from 2nd May. pic.twitter.com/vLTcm3lREl

— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2026

The Vande Bharat service on the Jammu-Katra-Srinagar route has seen overwhelming response, with full occupancy and more than 5.5 lakh passengers travelling so far. Vaishnaw said the upgraded 20-coach train has been specifically modified to operate in extreme weather conditions, including temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius, with advanced electronics and around 3,000 microchips installed to ensure seamless functioning.The expansion comes after the train, initially launched with 8 coaches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2025, consistently ran at full capacity. The augmentation to 20 coaches is expected to more than double seating capacity and ease reservation pressures, particularly during peak tourist and pilgrimage seasons.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the move, stating that the enhanced connectivity would significantly benefit both passenger travel and freight logistics. He noted that goods such as cement, vehicles and fruits are now being transported efficiently via rail, while also pitching for the establishment of a dry port and customs clearance facilities within the Union Territory.

#WATCH | Jammu: On the Vande Bharat flag-off event, J&K CM Omar Abdullah says, "On this occasion, I thank Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Central Government. Today, we have connected Jammu with Kashmir through the railways. This train, expanded from 8 coaches to 20, is a… pic.twitter.com/vPLu3PPP4Q

— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2026

Union Minister Jitendra Singh credited the government for completing the long-pending rail link to the Kashmir Valley, highlighting the milestone infrastructure developments, including the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River and the Anji Khad bridge.With the extension of services to Jammu Tawi, India’s flagship semi-high-speed train will now directly connect the region’s largest railway hub with Srinagar, signalling a major boost to connectivity, tourism and regional economic growth.